After Left-wing strikers brought down campuses, students could receive partial tuition fees refunds.
The Office for Students said compensation for cancelled classes may be ‘appropriate’ after the three-day walkout began yesterday.
They also warned universities that fines could be imposed on them if the strike caused a reduction in education quality. The strike involves over 50,000 employees at 58 campuses.
An extremist Left faction, affiliated to the Socialist Workers Party, prompted the University and College Union’s strike.
After Left-wing strikers brought down campuses, students could receive partial tuition fees refunds
The Office for Students said compensation for cancelled classes may be ‘appropriate’ after the three-day walkout began yesterday
It is the latest blow to students, who pay £9,250 a year and already missed months of face-to-face tuition during the pandemic.
Despite this, the radical National Union of Students (NUS) backed the walkout and was accused of ‘bullying’ youngsters by urging them not to ‘cross the picket’.
Protests were staged outside Goldsmiths University of London, Cambridge University, and Goldsmiths University of London. Meanwhile at Manchester University students joined the picket with red flags waving.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady threatened more strikes in the New Year, saying ‘the level of action seen today is just the beginning’.
Last night universities minister Michelle Donelan called on universities to ‘minimise disruption’ to students.
She said: ‘Students should be proud of the resilience they’ve shown throughout the pandemic.
‘Industrial action is the last thing students want or deserve – which is why today’s industrial action is so disappointing.’
In its reasons for the strike, the UCU said Universities UK (UUK), which represents vice chancellors, wants to change the Universities Superannuation (pension) Scheme based on a ‘flawed valuation’.
They also warned universities that fines could be imposed on them if the strike causes a reduction in education quality. The strike involves over 50,000 employees at 58 campuses
It is also demanding a £2,500 pay increase and the elimination of zero-hours contracts.
The action yesterday was prompted by the radical ‘UCU Left’ faction, which refused to compromise in negotiations with the universities.
According to UCU pension negotiators Dr Marion Hersh & Dr Deepagovindarajan Driver (Dr. Deepa Govindarajan drivers), they rebuffed the proposals via a blog.
A UUK spokesman said they had ‘undermined a union counter-proposal on pensions which could have brought a resolution’.
When contacted by the Daily Mail, the union said the attention paid to its UCU Left faction by UUK was a ‘deflection tactic’ intended to undermine the strikes.’